Hillsdale County economic development praised

Monday

Jan 21, 2013 at 9:44 AMJan 21, 2013 at 9:44 AM

By Don Reid

dwreid@aol.com

HILLSDALE — "I think we are getting to where we can hold our own with anybody else" in economic development Duke Anderson, President and CEO of Hillsdale Community Health Center said after a presentation from Sue Smith Executive Director of the Hillsdale County Economic Development Partnership (HCEDP)."We have struggled with this whole issue for a number of years," Hillsdale Board of Public Utilities (HBPU) Director Rick Rose agreed. "I agreed with Duke. We have started getting some traction."The HBPU board approved again contributing $15,000 as its share for the HCEDP. This is part of a three pronged effort to increase business in Hillsdale. The city of Hillsdale renewed for another year in December, a contract with Hillsdale Policy Group (HPG) to increase economic activity in the city. Councilwoman Mary Wolfram and her husband head this effort.Anderson praised Smith and Wolfram for "the ability to deal with the modern economy as well as state government."Rose said there has been a third effort with a site selection consultant costing $2,700 a month. HBPU will revisit this contract for 2013 to look at possible changes based on performance.Smith explained that Hillsdale was placed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in Region 9 with Jackson, Livingston, Lenawee, Monroe, and Washtenaw counties – known as the (Ann Arbor) A2 Improving Grounds (A2). Each of the counties has different strengths and can cooperate looking for new business. The state required regional cooperation and provided a $20,000 grant for marketing.A2 touts no one can better imagine, engineer, build, and deliver on ideas better than those companies already in the six counties.Smith as an example showed how A2 pushed C. Raker & Sons, Inc Trial Gardens in Litchfield. Test beds are set up on five acres where they measure, grade, and record each of the more than 2,000 varieties of plants weekly for its partners in the horticulture industry.The program has emphasized Hillsdale County as a location where products can be prototyped for production. R. C. Plastics, Johan van dee Werd Engineering, Northeast Fabricating Company, Cambria Tool and Machine, and Precision Gage were cited as local firms in this business.Smith, who has been Executive Director since 2010, said the HCEDP has a budget of $130,460 a year. Besides HBPU other largest investors are the Village of Jonesville at $15,000, the Hillsdale Community Health Center at $15,000, the City of Litchfield at $10,000, and The Hillsdale Intermediate School District at $5,000. Consumer's Energy and Michigan Gas Utilities also support the Economic Development Partnership. Each provides between $2,000 and $4,000 in direct support of our organization as well as sponsorship for programs.Smith has a separate contract with South Central Michigan Works for its collaborative work throughout Hillsdale County as the "Business Solutions Professional."That $50,000 pays for her day to day work integrating workforce and economic activity "so our communities in Hillsdale and throughout the South Central Michigan Works Region can provide seamless services to our employers, job seekers and educational partners."Smith said economic development is more than just bringing in industry. "Everything connects to economic development from industrial investment to student achievement all the way down to random acts of kindness in our communities.""Economic Development work strives to increase the overall quality of life that can be enjoyed in any given community by supporting the needs of individuals and organizations."